billions tio2 manufacturer
The most significant uncertainty identified by the EU experts was the concern that TiO2 particles may have genotoxic effects. Genotoxicity refers to the ability of a chemical to directly damage genetic material within a cell (DNA), which may lead to cancer in certain situations. Although the experts did not conclude that TiO2 particles in E171 are genotoxic, they could not rule out the concern that they might be.
TiO2 comes in many different forms. However, only a few of these forms are considered food-grade (acceptable to be added to food). Many studies that raised concern about the safety of TiO2, including the concern for genotoxicity, used forms of TiO2 that are not considered acceptable for use in food and have different properties than food-grade TiO2. Other studies did use food-grade TiO2, but took steps to break the material down into smaller particles than what would normally be found in food.
The factory's production process is a testament to precision and optimization. Raw materials, primarily ilmenite, rutile, and anatase ores, undergo a rigorous refining process that includes crushing, leaching, and solvent extraction methods. These steps ensure the purity and consistency required for high-quality pigments. Following this, gaseous chlorination converts the refined ore into titanium tetrachloride, setting the stage for the final synthesis of titanium dioxide through the oxidation of titanium tetrachloride in a heated environment.
